Alt Break Series: Accepted!

I received some wonderful news recently!

I was accepted to go on an Alternative Winter Break to the Colorado Springs Pride Center!

Now let me explain what an Alt Break is: During a week-long AB program, groups of seven KU students travel to locations across the country for a week of service work. Each group focuses on a specific issue; previous topics include environmentalism, education, community organizing, health, sustainability, homelessness, aging, immigration, LGBTQ rights, and disaster relief. We seek to provide KU students with a unique opportunity to volunteer and grow on a personal level. (Taken from the AB website: kualternativebreaks.com)

This was not the first time I have applied for an Alt Break; I applied last winter to go to Give the Kids the World in Florida, and I was not chosen. I was heartbroken, but I knew that I would apply again because I have only ever heard amazing things about going on an Alt Break! I truly wanted that amazing experience where I can help others and travel.

This year, there were five sites that I would have been thrilled to go to, but my first pick was the pride center in Colorado Springs. I wanted to learn new ways to promote equality and learn about other identities that I don't know as much about either because I don't identity myself with that identity or because I haven't been exposed to that identity. While I am learning so much here at KU about diversity and inclusivness, it's time to take it to the field!

I was also drawn to this break because I know that someday, I'll work with a student who needs or wants help, and hopefully this experience will give me some of the tools to do that in the best way.

Plus, this trip is going to be FABULOUS in every sense of the word. (:


http://www.cospride.org/index.php/en/

Spring Breakers 2013

I have some of the best friends in the world. Hands down; no contest.

Becca, Laura, Hadley, Katie, Claire and I

These beautiful women and I just had a fantastic week in Branson getting some R, R &R (rest, relaxation, and recreation). Shopping, Silver Dollar City, and Snow (yes, SNOW!) were the main ideas for this trip, sprinkled with KU Basketball and movie days/nights. I believe we ended up watching no less than 18 movies throughout the week, and I won't lie, that is what I consider to be a good time.

Beautiful deck view  (:

Shopping at the Branson Landing

Just after riding the brand-new ride at SDC!

After doing damage at the Landing... #thinkpink!

#lovelyladies

Last day.. after the snow!

What makes these women so wonderful is the fact that some of them had never met each other or barely knew each other, but were willing to come hang out in Branson with me for part of break and that means the world to me.

Just call me Carrie who is surrounded by a Samantha, Miranda and Charlotte. Although, we are still trying to figure out who the Samantha is...

;)

Road Trip!

Two weeks ago, I returned home from a week long, cross country road trip! While I could write about a blog post about it, I think this video tells a much better story. (:

Home (:

My freshmen year of college is over. :(

I am horribly, horribly sad.. don't get me wrong. But I am more than ready for a break from difficult academics. My major is hard.. there is no way around it. And if I want into medical school, I need to step my game up, and I mean WAY up. Or, I need to figure out if I can live with doing something else with my life...

I honestly, don't know that I would be able to forgive myself if I gave up on my dream. So, I'm not quite there yet. However, I do have a great summer ahead of me to figure it out!

I have a job! A full time, 40-hour week job! I will be a Student Housing Intern for the Department of Student Housing (a future career in University Student Affairs? I don't think so..). I will be helping with New Student Orientation, giving tours, and I have time to prep for my system government duties (AURH).

I also get to go to NACURH; a national residence hall association conference in Boulder, CO! Four days in Colorado on KU's bill with two of my best friends and I get to do AURH work!? It's heaven for me!

And you know.. I turn 19.. Pretty fun. :)

I am definitely ready for this much needed, and deserved summer break.

<3

Moved out of 407 :(

And into 218 Hash!! :) (this is just my summer room! I'll be back in Mac in the fall, room 1037!)

PS: Happy Mother's Day, Mom!! <3

Recap; 2011 Style.

I know.. I know... It's been a WHILE... Sorry!!

Here's a recap of the last few months... (: My last post of 2011!!!!

Thanksgiving-

Being back at home was wonderful. It had been a really stressful few weeks and a little escape to Mulvane was needed. Jessica was coming to Lawrence to stay the night and I wasn't allowed to leave since I had a late test, so we got to see each other after a LONG time. (: I really didn't see many friends when I was home since everyone was spread out at families and I was only home for less then five days, but I got to see my entire family and that was great. And of course Thanksgiving food!! (:

Cousins! :)

A little of Mom's Side of the Fam!

Picture Perfect :)

Aunt Lisa...

&& Uncle Corey.. :)

Finals Week-

Oh. My. God... I have never been so tired in my life after finals week. I had three "test" finals and one paper to revise and then I was coming home! They were spread out across an entire week, so it was nice, but it also added to my stress level because I was freaking out for so long. I also was forced to work fifteen hours in three days (which isn't a lot, but I was used to 3 hours every three weeks... culture shock!). So my stress level is through the roof.... and I wasn't sleeping. Out of the entire week, I probably got around 20 hours of sleep total... and thats a high estimate... realllllly high... Thank goodness all-nighters are my specialty... However, it wasn't so fun coming home and being taken to Immediate Care and being diagnosed with Laryngitis!

Last day in Lawrence :( 

Christmas-

Oh Christmas Break.. a whole month at home with no work or school.. and James was coming home! So it was panning out to be a good Christmas. I went shopping no less then FOUR times BEFORE Christmas, and I'm still not done! Lol Jessica picked me up and we went shopping for her mom, Katie and I went to Sherlock Holmes, and Allyson and I went shopping a few days later. My mom and I spent the entire day before Christmas Eve shopping at the mall, Barnes & Noble, Wal-Mart, Kohls, Walgreens... It was exhausting. Christmas Eve is always with my dad's side and Christmas Day is always with my mom's  side. Just a lot of relaxing and sleeping (and a LOT of "How I Met Your Mother") during the first half of my break...

Juli!

Christmas Eve!

Grandparents and Mom, Dad and Sister!

Family Pic!

New Year's-

Unfortunately, James had to fly back to California today... His dad and I went with him to the airport and eventually, he'll be on his way to Alaska. I have no idea when I'm going to see him again, but I am grateful for the times I got to see him the last few weeks and the previous seven plus years... those memories aren't going anywhere and he'll always have a special place in my heart.

But it's not all sad... I'm going to Amanda's tonight for a New Year's bash and we have a girls day coming up! Pics soon!

As painful as it is to lose James, I know it's all going to be alright. Life goes on and not at a better moment. It's a new year, lets start over. I feel like every year of my life has a theme...

2009- Patience. I was beginning to discover just how amazing life could be with just a little patience.
2010- Courage. Stepping out of my comfort zone and fighting back is never easy, but I did it in 2010.
2011- Change. So. Much. Change.. From graduation to moving, change is inevitable... but manageable.

2012- Acceptance. I have to learn to accept things that I can't change or shouldn't change.  I can't fight everything and I can't hold on to everything... sometimes, letting go is the best option.

I just have to accept it first...

<3

..i miss you already... i am so proud of you... <3 b="b">

Just Surviving..

It has been a very unique three days. I'll just go back to Sunday and begin to explain...

SUNDAY

After going to Debbie's wedding on Saturday, I knew I was going to have a busy Sunday. It started off at midnight while still working on my Ronald McDonald video (which I'll post after the pageant). I finally finished that around one-ish, but at the same time, I was talking to my friend Ben. He and I met at KAY camp on my first trip in 2009. We discovered that night that we had something in common.... we had loved ones in Germany. It was so wonderful to talk to someone whom I didn't have to say "You have no idea..." because he did have an idea. He knew. And I can't thank him enough for talking to me about something I believed I was fairly alone in... Thanks Ben. (:

So after that emotional talk (and it was very emotional), I went to get my prom dress altered. I was nervous because it hadn't fit well a few nights before, even with my going to the gym. Thankfully, it did fit when I tried it on there and all it needed was hemmed and adjusted. So that was better then I anticipated. However, we raced home to watch the KU game... which we shouldn't have. It was my second cry of the day... it was very difficult to watch and I did logic puzzles to distract myself... I felt so bad for my boys. But I still love them.

After the game, I started doing some homework and Erynn asked if I could take her to a friend's. I said sure, and as I was walking to my car, I started to take out my iPod so I could pick the Glee song we would listen to... and I dropped my iPod.

My iPod is like my child. Let's just say I cried and was very angry with myself. I'm going to get it fixed and pay my parents back for it too. If I had to, I would go out and buy an identical new one I love my iPod that much. I have been having trouble functioning in school without it... new policy mandates no electronics what-so-ever in a classroom. Just the hallways. It's. Stupid. However, we are allowed to use cell phones and iPods during passing periods and lunch, so you'll see kids walking down the hall talking on their phones... even me. (:

Later, after that anger, rage, and depression subsided a little, my mom and I started watching Army Wives. It's one of our favorite shows, and we knew this week's episode was going to be intense. Someone died. It was the most heart wrenching thing I've ever seen and I sat there, on my couch for 60 minutes, motionless, with tears just streaming down my face... it was that bad/good. Best episode I've ever seen, but it was also the saddest. It was just a day full of crying and upsetting circumstances... Oh and I had to go back to school the next day.

MONDAY

First day back... joy. No iPods, no sleep, no fun. However, I was (pretty) happy to be back and I liked seeing everyone again. It was just weird after a week away, however, very easy. That night, I went to college, had a(nother) easy class, found out I got a 100 on my speech, and left. I love college. I went tanning, came home, took a shower, and laid down thinking I had beaten the system: I was getting an early night. Go me. And then I reach for my iPod, which I use every night to go to sleep, and about started crying again. So, I decided to try and read a new book to help me sleep. Plan. Backfired. I read the ENTIRE 260 page book... I went to sleep at 1:30. Fortunately, it was a good book. A teen, cutesy, romance that made me smile. It was called Troy High and I loved it. However, I was balls out tired today...

TUESDAY

School was, again, easy. Just difficult to get through. I feel like I don't enjoy and live at school anymore... I just survive to get through the day. I did get my graduation stuff today though; my cap and gown, announcements, and name cards. That made it a little better. Then I realized that I have a scholarship due in Topeka Friday that I had forgotten about... oh crap. So after running around everywhere trying to fix my error, I came home to write the essay. Mom and Erynn left for the mall and I ate and went to start my essay, after a while, I went to lie on the couch and watch the game with my Dad. I accidently fell asleep, missed Glee, and felt like crap. Mostly, because I missed Glee, but also because I was dead tired. I took a shower, and am now taking a break from writing this essay. Still incredibly tired, but I can sleep when I’m dead. I need that scholarship.

So here’s to having a better few days, and a great time in Lawrence…

Wish me luck. (:

<3

All Good Things Must End...

It's sort of sad... Spring Break is almost over...

Yes, I did say almost.

Don't get me wrong I love my breaks (so much!!), but I also know that with so little time lest at school, my schedule getting all messed up, and my lack of motivation.. it's time to go back. Plus, I only have to stick it out a week until I leave for Lawrence for two days! However, I will miss my afternoon naps... and my Netflix Army Wives marathons, and my Glee episodes and songs on my iPod that I can no longer use.. :(

Ok, maybe I do want to stay home...

BUT Mr. Wildcat is this Saturday, which is always something to look forward to! I made a request that the proceeds be donated to the Ronald McDonald House because of how close to that organization I am... and it was PASSED! (: I am so excited to be able to help this wonderful organization... I am also going back to work at one of the houses in April. My RMHC girls, Becky and Jennifer, will also be at the show on Saturday. I am stoked!

This year is also the 10th Mr. Wildcat and I have organized a reunion for the past winners to come back and see everyone and take a look at the last ten years. I'm hoping most of the winners can come. One already told me he can't but did give me the name of his best friend or "Power of Attorney." to represent him. Totally cracked me up.

Right after the show, I'll come straight home to get some sleep because we have to leave for KU super early to make it to the Honors Program Banquet. Then Monday is my Scholar's Day. And with basketball tearing Richmond a new one right now (and I do mean right now; score is 41-22 us ;) ), I am totally bleeding Red and Blue. (No, no roommate yet, but still happy!)

 

This break was pretty good; just gearing up for the next seven weeks. I didn't end up really doing anything, but I have been working out and tanning a lot, I did my college homework, watched a lot of TV, and slept quite a bit. Nicole came over last night and we watched the Sister Act (very funny) and started Death at a Funneral (fell asleep, but also funny.) This weekend it's looking like Deb's wedding tomorw, homework, scholarships, videos, and a little sleep on Sunday.

Welcome Back School.

<3

GLEEK OUT!!

Ok, so before anyone says "What are you doing up?!" Well, my grandparents are leaving for Hawaii in the morning and I am going with my parents to the airport to pick up their car and ride home with my mom. The easiest solution in my mind was to, therefore, stay up all night.  I do NOT wake up well and I like being up at night.. And, it's Spring Break! It's peaceful and relaxing. Plus, I have found a new obsession...

I love Glee. That's really all there is to it. It's been on tv for about two years and I've never really given it much thought. Allyson explained it to me right after it came on; it sounded cool, but I didn't really have time. A month ago, I saw I Am Number Four with Dianna Agron and I saw that she was also in Glee. I read about a few of the episodes and was pretty blown away. I mean, I've been seeing previews for two years so I knew it was good.. but this was awesome. And I hadn't heard any of the singing yet.

The other night I saw a clip of an episode where the characters perform two of my favorite songs: Candles by Hey Mondey and Raise Your Glass by Pink (both on my list ;) ). They were both fantastic and I had to buy Raise Your Glass to even sleep. I just played it over and over because the male voices in this series are AMAZING. Tonight, I watched the full episode and was like a giddy frickin' teenager watching a chick flick.. and I am perfectly ok with that. (:

I have always had this thing with music, where I'll hear a song and picture a performence to it... band, marching band, cheerleaders, dancers, flags, choir, auditorium, gym, etc... and see myself in it. It kind of started with the song 4 Minutes by Madonna. I could see my band (even specific people!) playing and singing... well tonight, I saw something very similiar to my vision on Glee.. with my FAVORITE character, no less... of 4 Minutes and I about fainted. The vocals were to die for and the dancing and marching band were dead on to what I envisioned. Unfourtunatly, my favorite character is a cute, adoarble, gay guy... go figure. :/

But nevertheless, I bought the episode (and the one with Raise Your Glass in it) so I can watch them whenever I want. And to be honest, I never really thought I'd like Glee... It just kinda swept me away (:

Best Glee Songs I've Heard So Far:

*4 Minutes - Chris Colfer and Amber Riley

*Raise Your Glass - Darren Criss

*Silly Love Songs- Darren Criss and Chris Colfer

*Loser Like Me- Glee Cast (Original Song)

*Candles - Chris Colfer and Darren Criss

*PYT - Kevin McHale and Harry Shum Jr.

*Animal - Darren Criss and Chris Colfer

*Tik Tok- Glee Cast

...and of course...

*Don't Stop Believin' - Glee Cast

This list will get longer once I get ahold of our Netflix info and watch them on my computer. Good thing they are on hiatus until April!! (:

(PS. I am hoping my roommate at KU likes TV and Movies and Music... I know I do :) )

                   

<3

SPRING BREAK!

Break is finally here!! And not a moment too soon... it has been a long and difficult week.

I guess I am stuck here in Mulvane for at least the majority of break. :/ Bummer. I'm trying to talk James into going to Kansas City for a day or so.. I'm not sure if I will win that fight. We'll see.

I will relent and say maybe it's a good thing I am staying home.. I have a huge to-do-list to accomplish!

*Send Mr. Wildcat Letters out

*College Homework

*Scholarships

*High School Homework

*Cheer DVD

*KAY DVD

*Ronald McDonald DVD

*Begin Watergate Reesearch Project

*Type Spanish Notebook

*Email RMHC People

*Tan/ Workout everyday...

*Etc.

Tomorrow I have to take my car in for work, Sunday we are trying to go to Tulsa for the KU game (ROCK CHALK!! <3), Monday I am working for Jaima by going bowling and getting paid for it, and Tuesday I'd like to go to KC, Wednesday there is a concert I'd like to go to, and then the rest of the week is the list above.
Yeah maybe staying home isn't so bad...

Grades are in!!!!! (: I am very lucky to not have taken a midterm in ANY of my nine classes; college or high school. I had a few tests this week to kill the quarter, but nothing I freaked out about. I received a 97 on my Macbeth test and a 100 for my calc test. (: We watched the Magic School Bus in Physics (sorry, Justin), watched basketball in calc, and ate animal crackers in yearbook. What a great Friday!



College (:




High School (:

 Yeah that's what I'm talking about ;) (Click on pics to make larger.)
    
Also, I still didn't have a roommate as of 3 pm central standard time today, so I called the KU people and explained I really didn't want to live on the ninth floor, it was the only option given to me. So we did some switching and I am now moving into room 407 which I hand picked based on the numbers. I am a huge numbers person and really hope this is a good omen.

7= July, 7, lucky seven, seventeen, etc
4= four years of collge (hey, maybe less!)
11= grad year
And I'm sure there are many other random meanings I could make up, but I am definitely a 7 person. (:
I'm hoping this gets me a roommate faster (:

In other KU news, my Men's Basketball team won against Boston tonight!!!!!!! We are on our way to an awesome March Madness victory!!

Rock Chalk. <3

PS. Brandon, Katie, and family, please have a safe trip flying to and on your cruise. (I'm jealous but) Have fun!

Who da Thunk it...

Five Snow Days.
FIVE SNOW DAYS!!
That's an entire week of school! And since I am graduating.. It doesn't matter! We can't make it up. Haha oh the irony...

But I do miss being in school. I love seeing everyone when I know we have such limited time together. Plus, I hate the cold and that stupid groundhog said we were supposed to get an early spring. So I am hoping that this is a last "kiss my butt" message from winter, and spring comes early. It's already been a long winter...
I will give the cold this, however.. It was very pretty outside yesterday. It was straight snow and it was fluttering around and blowing everywhere and it looked just like a postcard. Then my hands got cold and I decided it wasn't very pretty anymore...

Speaking of missing school, I get to take a day off again in April :)

I am returning to Lawrence!!

I was invited to attend a scholar's day on April 4th and after I got clearance from my Cowley Professor, we signed up first thing! Later that day, I received a text from my mom saying we would be staying at the Oread! That really, really awesome hotel on campus! Since it is a non-game day, it was relatively easy my mom said.

So the schedule goes like this:
Friday April 1st- finish up everything here in Mulvane.
Saturday April 2nd- Mr. Wildcat!!
Sunday April 3rd- Leave for the best city on earth. (:
Monday- Scholars Day.

The Oread :) It's sooo pretty!

View of my future home... I'm stoked :)

I really am excited to return to Lawrence. It will give me something to look forward to and the recharging I am sure I will need 7 weeks before I graduate. (Grad-Day, T-minus 101 days!!)

Even though I am super stoked about college (and yeah, scared, nervous, terrified...), I still know I will do fine. It will take adjusting. Like everything else in life. But some people aren't so sure. My buddy, Chris, was accepted into West Point this week and I am really proud of him. We act like we hate each other 90% of the time, but the other ten we get along fine. So congrats, kid. You are going to make a great army officer.

We switched uniforms on Switch Day. Sure wish the Army could see this one ;)

So with Valentine's Day coming up, I was less then excited to celebrate it. I could have just pretended it wasn't happening and forgotten. But to make it all better, Jessica and I are going to do something together hopefully. I even promised to get her a pillow pet and she said she'd get me a teddy bear. (: I have a great best friend.

So with that, I am going to be productive today on my day off... maybe :)
<3

The World's Gone Crazy...

A fourth snow day. It must be some kind of record. I have never in all my years of living in Mulvane (12 this past month) been given four snow days... I don't think.. ;)

I spent yesterday as I am sure many of my classmates did... Doing nothing. In my defense, I was in the middle of doing my homework when I got the call... I just stopped when I found out I had another day to do it lol. This will give me, basically, a two day week. I was present, but not all there half of Monday, and with these two snow days... I think this is Europe's big snow storm coming around to bite us in the butt. Thanks Dickey Family :P

So last night, I had something I had to tell my BFFs. So in a matter of maybe a little over an hour, I called three people to tell the same story over and over again. But I really found out that I have the best friends ever :) It was a great night to catch up and have them help me with something and remember why we are friends in the first place. (: thanks guys <3 and we were still able to laugh about it in the process. I can see why I was given all of these responsibilities and tasks now... You guys get to help me. <3

Speaking of my buddies, we only have 108 total days until graduation... Again mixed feelings. Jessica will leave for Cowley or Emporia, Nicole to Butler or Cowley, Katie to Pratt or K-State, James to boot camp, and myself to KU...I'm definitely not ready to go our separate ways... but I have been given the skills I need to deal with separation and I love to travel (and Skype!!) so I don't see any major problems with staying close to my friends. :)

Jessica <3

Nicole <3

James <3

Another Snow Day!

Unbelievable. Mulvane called another snow day. Man, my senior year is going to be awfully short if this keeps up. I plan on using this day productively and finishing up and homework bits I've neglected lately. I also plan on using today to recharge and go back to school tomorrow actually READY to go back. Yesterday the conference ended at 11 something and we were back by 12:30. Yeah, that sucked. So, I spent the last half of the day in my calculus teacher's room doing work and catching up. (FYI: that's two and a half hours of calculus... yeah. Migraine medicine was needed.) Then I went to my Public Speaking class... for two hours and forty five minutes. Ok, it may seem like I enjoy sitting in one spot for multiple hours... but I really don't. I like moving around and seeing people. Many people texted me last night asking why I didn't come back from the conference and if I was ok. I laughed and said i came back, I just didn't leave one classroom. It's kind of pathetic how little I get to enjoy my senior year. There are a few little things though...
*Mrs. Becker (the middle school principal) is beginning a plan of attack to form a middle school KAY under my direction. I'm soooooo excited :) This is something I've been working for since I came back from camp this summer. It could really be good for some middle school girls.
*Spring break is coming up... Jess and I want to take a trip to San Antonio or something just to get out of here for a while. Since Germany is out, we figure somewhere warm is next best :) With a lot of shopping..
*I had a little spare time this weekend to scan in some old pictures. It was so funny with my mom and hearing the explanations of exactly what I was wearing and where she got it.. but she had no idea when it was. lol here are a few pics.

If you look closely, I have on Baby Bop slippers :)

He went with me everywhere :)

A hat and sunglasses... always had them both :)

See? ;)

I was cool as a little kid

You can see my birthmark way better when I was little.

My favorite person to get hats from :)

We got along really well then lol

I think we both just look super cute in this picture.

Well its rumored we'll get another snow day tomorw so we'll see :) I still have to do my homework today just in case... oh well. I got plenty of sleep for a while lol...
<3

Another Day Off for Me (:

Wow. Mulvane actually called a snow day! Impressive.

I woke up to my alarm at 645 and was thinking "Hmmm I haven't heard mom saying anything, but I know I did NOT hear that phone." The school now has an automated calling thingy where if we have no school they call. It's nice. But i didn't hear it, BUT we all know I could sleep through a tornado and not wake up once, just maybe roll over. So I checked facebook super quick on the phone I still had in my hand and saw I had an IM with a :( face... Crap.

But then I looked at the News Feed and discovered no less then 12 Mulvane kids cheering for no school... :) alright. So I decided to go back to bed and if it weren't true, I know my mother. She would've been up here telling me I was gonna be late for school soon. So I put on my sleeping mask to block out light, and the next thing I know, its 11 am. Cool Beans. Then soon after, my good mood vanished. I still have to travel to Chaparral (still have no clue how to spell that) to cheer tonight. Ugh. It's about a 2 hour bus ride and we were supposed to have a van. Now we are stuck on a bus. I have nightmares about riding the bus with one of the basketball coaches. He scares me after he yelled at the cheerleaders last year.. it was so Scary. But we were going to leave at 6... now 435... what?!?!?!?!?
Great. Better charge my phone and iPod so I don't go nuts.
But I got up, made breakfast, Skyped Jess and had our morning chat, and now I'm sitting here listening to Kokomo (again :) ) not really wanting to get out of bed. It's kinda cold... :P But hey... Mulvane now will never give us a snow day again even if ten feet was dumped on top of the high school by the Abominable Snowman himself... Santa Claus...maybe. Depends on our Super's mood.

Anyways here are those pics I promised :)

Pep Assembly/Game Dance. I never have to perform it again.. (:

Yep. Thats me flying :)

The Pom portion of the dance. I chorographed this one, Katie the beginning. :)

End Pose. Seniors in front ;)

It's blurry, but it's cool. Toe Touch out of a prep. :) (and they always catch me, dont freak out! :) )

Ceremony :)

Oh yeah, our lib group. I base and backspot too :)

Click on the Pics to make them larger :)

I'm off to get ready to ride a bus all night long... joy ;)
<3